In recent years, many companies proudly showcased their climate goals, bold net-zero targets and detailed ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reports. But today, something has changed. A new trend called greenhushing is emerging, where companies intentionally say less or nothing at all about their sustainability efforts.

Unlike greenwashing, where businesses exaggerate their environmental claims, greenhushing is the opposite: organizations are continuing their ESG work, but they’re staying quiet about it.

Why Are Companies Going Silent?

1. Fear of Legal Trouble

New laws are cracking down on false or misleading environmental claims. In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission is tightening its rules, and states like California now require companies to back up their sustainability statements with real data. In Europe, penalties for greenwashing are becoming stricter. As a result, even companies that are making genuine progress are becoming cautious. They don’t want to risk a lawsuit over the way they describe their efforts.

2. Political Pressures

Some lawmakers argue that focusing on climate and social issues takes attention away from business performance. As a result, companies are choosing neutral language or removing ESG labels from their websites to avoid controversy.

3. Reputation Risks

Today’s consumers, investors and activists are more informed and sceptical. If a company sets a bold goal and falls short, it can face backlash for not delivering. Even when the intentions are good, companies fear being accused of exaggeration. So instead of promoting progress, they often keep it under wraps.

Why Greenhushing Matters

While silence might protect companies in the short term, it can cause long-term problems:

• Lack of Transparency: Investors and stakeholders depend on clear information to make decisions. If companies hide their ESG efforts, it becomes hard to know who’s making real progress and who isn’t.
• Weaker Peer Pressure: Public goals often inspire competitors to step up. Without public commitments, the positive cycle of “climate competition” slows down.
• Lost Learning Opportunities: Sharing successes and challenges helps the whole business community improve. If everyone stays silent, progress may stall.

Finding a Balanced Approach

The ESG landscape is changing. Companies now face pressure from all sides – regulators, politicians, and the public – and the result is cautious communication. But staying silent isn’t a long-term solution. To keep moving forward, companies need to find smarter, more authentic ways to share their sustainability journey.

That might mean:

• Being transparent about challenges as well as progress
• Aligning reports with verified standards and data

How ARRO by CeroED Helps Break the Silence

This is where ARRO by CeroED comes in. ARRO is a powerful ESG and carbon management platform designed to help businesses track, verify, and communicate their sustainability performance with confidence.

By automating carbon data collection, aligning reports with global standards like CSRD, GRI, SASB and TCFD, and offering transparent audits using blockchain, ARRO gives companies the tools they need to avoid the risks of greenwashing – without falling into greenhushing.

With ARRO, companies can:

• Report accurately and confidently on emissions and ESG goals
• Demonstrate compliance with evolving regulations
• Communicate progress transparently using real-time dashboards and verified data

In a time when silence may seem safer, ARRO empowers organizations to speak clearly, truthfully, and responsibly – helping them build trust while still moving the needle on climate action.